2010 AD100: Gregga Jordan Smieszny

“People often think that interior design is something they can do themselves,” says designer Alex Jordan. “They often don’t realize the level of detail, number of vendors and different materials involved in creating something as simple as a chair.” Jordan (left) is co-president, along with designer Dan Smieszny, of Chicago-based Gregga Jordan Smieszny, an interior design firm founded in 1970 by Bruce Gregga, who remains involved with select commissions. With a staff of 12 to 14 (“depending on the projects we have in-house”), the team is known for elegant interiors that unite the personalities of the residents and the characteristics of the location.

“It’s exciting that the projects we’re working on now are all so different,” says Jordan. One is the renovation of a Neoclassical-style apartment in Chicago; another is a new Federal-style house on Nantucket. “What is challenging about them both,” remarks Jordan, “will be maintaining the connection with the architecture while grounding them in the 21st century.” Besides residences in Illinois, California, Georgia and Massachusetts, the firm’s current projects include cabinets, tables and sofas. “We constantly design furniture,” says Jordan. “Either we can’t find the piece we want, the size is wrong, or the price of the antique version is prohibitive. At this point we have enough designs to start several lines of furniture.” Adds Smieszny, “We’ve not ventured into the accessory category yet.”

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